Desktop shortcuts

[caboash]

Hi - I am trying to put a shortcut on the desktop to a specific file (word document) that is held in Dropbox. I searched and found several instructions for shortcuts for applications but cant find anything for individual files.

Is this possible in Ubuntu 17?

[TheFu]

Welcome to the forums.

The DE used controls whether this is possible or not. For most DEs, the "Desktop" is just a directory in your HOME, so you can create a symbolic link into there from anywhere and it will work. I haven't used Unity since 12.04 ... so I don't know if that DE pays any attention to this method. **Every** other DE or WM I've used does work this way.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symbolic_link explains more about symlinks, symbolic links, soft-links ... those are all the same.